He was born on May 18, 1920 on Graves Mountain in Syria, VA, and was the son of the late George and Ruth Berry Seal.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann McCreath Seale who died August 22, 2000, and a son, Michael David Seale.
James is survived by his daughter, Nancy Diane Seale Sims and her husband, Rev. James “Fuzzy” Sims; a step-grandson, James E. Sims; a granddaughter, Sarah Murphy; three great-grandsons, Ryan, Brendan and Keane Murphy.
He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Paul Bowman; 15 nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews on the Seale side of the family and five nieces and nephews on the McCreath side of the family.
Also preceding him in death are four brothers, Dewey, John, Robert, and Melvin Seal; five sisters, Della Seal Weakley, Virginia Seal Ashley, Elizabeth Seal Murphy, Mary Seal Barr and Sarah Seal Bowman.
This farm family left Madison County to be raised in Fairfax, Virginia and then Annandale, Va. Jim was a deeply loved and respected person. He loved all of his brothers and sisters and was always there for them and their children. He described himself as a simple man who loved everyone and wanted to help everyone and tried to do what the good Lord asked him to do. Every morning and every evening you would find him reading his Bible and Upper Room devotional. He faithfully attended his daughter’s community Bible study held in their home.
He loved his dogs, Tuffy, Nicki and Jeffie all of whom predeceased their beloved owner.
Jim served in the US Army from February 1943 – January 1945 in the South Pacific as a Technical Sergeant and as Highway Machinery Forman. He received the Good Conduct Medal and Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.
When he came out of the Army he became an Operating Engineer with Local 77 out of Suitland, Md. He served this AFL/CIO Union for 42 years. He was proud of the fact that he drove huge cranes that built the original subway system for Washington, DC. His work was excellent and he was sought after for many jobs. He received many medals for safety. He retired in 1984.
When he retired, he and Ann traveled far and wide in their RV. He loved fishing and enjoyed taking people out on his boat. He enjoyed raising vegetables, beautiful irises and peonies, lawn maintenance, woodworking and rug hooking. By far his greatest joy was visiting and helping his neighbors and family with chores and projects.
He is a life-time member of Annandale United Methodist Church. In memory of Ann he created a rug of the “Praying Hands” which hangs in the church’s prayer room.
In 2005, he moved to Sugar Grove, WV to “take care of” Nancy and Fuzzy. He helped make hay, worked hard in the garden, mowed and trimmed weeds, cut and stacked fire wood and walked the one mile walk to/from the mailbox daily. He said that he became healthier with this change and was able to get rid of his two walking canes. He attended Riverside United Methodist Church in Brandywine and gifted them a hand-hooked “Praying Hands” rug.
In June 2014, at the age of 94, he made his home at the Bridgewater Retirement Community where his sister, Sarah and her husband, Paul resided. He enjoyed getting together with family there. He loved his Serenity Household family.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday, August 26, 2018 in Lantz Chapel at Bridgewater Retirement Community with Chaplain Russ Barb officiating.
A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm, Monday, August 27, 2018 at National Memorial Park, Falls Church.
Memorial contributions may be sent to South Fork Rescue Squad, POB 55, Sugar Grove, WV 26815, South Fork Fire Department, PO Box 297, Brandywine, WV 26802 or American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.
